Miss USA Keeps Crown

By: Shannon Gossage

Controversy erupted late last week when TMZ.com reported that Conner might be stripped of her crown due to her scandalous behavior. It was reported that Conner was involved in underage drinking (she just turned 21 December 18), that she tested positive for cocaine use, inappropriate behavior with Miss Teen USA Katie Blair, "indiscretions" with men, and the fact that she skipped out on a number of Miss USA-related events.

Donald Trump co-owns the Miss Universe organization, which includes Miss USA, with NBC. Trump said earlier this week, "It is a painful subject, and I am not at all happy about the situation." Trump held a news conference on Tuesday and announced that he was not going to fire Conner and that she planned to enter rehab. Trump said a press conference Tuesday, "I’ve always been a believer in second chances. Tara is a good person. Tara has tried hard. Tara us going to be given a second chance." During the press conference Conner shed a few tears and did admit that she was involved in underage drinking. She also claimed to have "personal demons," apologized for her behavior, and thanked Trump for the second chance.

Conner said, "In no way when I walked into the meeting with him did I think it would be possible to be given a second chance. You know what (Trump) could have said – ‘You’re fired’ – that’s what everyone expected, including me." Trumps said of Conner, "She left a small town in Kentucky and got caught up in the whirlwind we know as New York." Conner now has to work extra hard to keep walking a straight line. She will be watched to make sure she acts like a role model and acts accordingly. Any misstep and she could quite possibly be out.